Method and devices for the cross-referencing of identification of tissue slice supports for microtomised analytical samples

ABSTRACT

The invention relates to a method and device for the cross-referencing of identification ( 1 ) of tissue slice supports ( 2 ), for microtomised analytical samples still to be mounted thereon, with identification information ( 3 ) of a tissue sample holder ( 4 ) of a tissue sample ( 5 ) which is not yet microtomised. The conventional problem of cross-referencing is improved in a simple manner, whereby the identification information ( 3 ) for the tissue sample holder ( 4 ) is automatically detected when positioned in the microtome ( 6 ) and an identification ( 1 ) corresponding thereto is automatically transferred to at least one tissue slice support ( 2 ) and that tissue slice support ( 2 ), provided with the identification ( 1 ), is dispensed for application of the tissue sample slice at the moment when a tissue sample slice must be applied to a tissue slice support ( 2 ).

This application is a divisional of U.S. Ser. No. 12/149,854, filed onMay 9, 2008, which is a continuation of U.S. Ser. No. 10/493,602, filedon Apr. 26, 2004, which in turn is the national stage of InternationalApplication No. PCT/EP02/11983, filed on Oct. 26, 2002 with ParisConvention priority of DE 101 54 843.5 filed Nov. 8, 2001, the entiredisclosures of which are hereby incorporated herein by reference intheir entireties.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The invention concerns a method for cross-referencing the identificationof supports for tissue sample slices to be disposed thereon, withcross-reference to an identification information of a holder of anassociated, not yet microtomised tissue sample.

The invention also concerns a device for carrying out such a method anda device for preparing to carry out the method to identify supports oftissue slices with cross-reference to identification information of aholder of a not yet microtomised tissue sample, wherein the holder isprovided with an information carrier for cross-reference, and the devicecomprises a means for generating the identification information.

Examination of tissue samples from patients is a routine procedure inhistological technology. The most common method consists of embeddingthe tissue samples in paraffin, slicing them with microtomes, stainingthem in a further process, covering them with a cover glass andsupplying them to a microscope for diagnostic evaluation. In modernlaboratories, the patient samples are automatically processed during theindividual steps. The samples are initially prepared through thefollowing steps: fixing, dehydration, clearing with an intermediatemedium, and embedding in paraffin in an embedding device. Production ofa paraffin block is realized in a pouring station. Cutting the paraffinblock, with an embedded tissue sample, in a microtome, producesmicroscopic, thin slices. The thin slice thereby obtained is stained andcontrasted in several steps in a staining device. After covering thethin slice with a cover glass on a cover glass covering device, the thinslice obtained from the patient sample is ready for evaluation under amicroscope.

One problem consists in maintaining unique identification of the tissuesamples to prevent confusion and loss of samples throughout all of theprocessing steps. Some progress has been achieved in this regard. Inmodern processing, immediately after slicing, the tissue sample isinserted into a so-called tissue cartridge, which is closed and securedby a lid. In addition to good liquid flow properties, modern tissuecartridges also offer distinct features to prevent loss of the sampleand to provide unique identification. Towards this end, moderncartridges have a writing or printing surface of sufficient size andsurface quality to permit writing or printing with sufficient adhesionand durability during subsequent processing. In this fashion, the samplecan be clearly identified in the identified cartridge during embeddingof the tissue. In the subsequent step, i.e. pouring the paraffin blockaround the tissue sample, the risk of sample confusion is stillsufficiently prevented, since the same identified cartridge serves assupport of the paraffin block with tissue sample, wherein the sample isconnected to the identified cartridge via the solidified paraffin block.

In the next step, microscopic thin slices of the tissue sample areproduced on a microtome. Towards this end, the paraffin block withembedded tissue sample and connected cartridge holder part are clampedinto the sample holder of a microtome and sliced. Thin slices arethereby produced on the back of the microtome knife or on the edge ofone-way blade holders, which are transferred manually, using a brush andtweezers, to a warm water bath for stretching the slices. The stretched,thin slices are then placed on a conventional, glass tissue slicesupport (slide). The labeling field of the sample slice support must nowhave the same allocating information concerning the tissue as is writtenon the tissue cartridge serving as the holder. Conventionally, severalusable thin slices are produced from one tissue sample and aredistributed on several tissue slice supports. This means that severaltissue slice supports must contain the same identification as to originof the tissue sample.

The tissue slice support can be labeled by handwriting as soon as thethin slices have been produced. The patient tissue information providedon the cartridges is thereby transferred onto one or more tissue slicesupports through handwriting. Clearly, this method increases the dangerof transfer errors and therefore offers little protection from confusionand errors. Additionally, the hand-written information must be read andfurther processed by other persons at a later time.

U.S. Pat. No. 4,276,253 discloses mounting an identification on thesample which is maintained for each sample tissue slice during cutting,i.e. is reproduced. There is no allocation problem since the tissuesample slice is already characterized during cutting. This requiresextensive identification of samples using shaped, elongated labels,which are also cut. This requires an increase in size of the paraffinblock being cut and also entails time-consuming embedding of theselabels. The considerable technical effort is impractical.

Further documents (WO 00/62035, U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,854,075; 5,746,855 andDE 100 10 140 A1) describe automated processes, which eliminateallocation problems. Such full automation is problematic due to theextremely thin slices and can only be realized with considerabletechnical effort.

A method and devices of the above-mentioned type with manualcross-reference are also known, wherein one or more tissue slicesupports are labeled with the same information at the same time when thetissue cartridge, which serves as a holder, is labeled at the start ofthe sample preparation process. This reduces the risk of confusion, inparticular when the writing is carried out automatically with a coupledcartridge and tissue slice support printing system. This method isdisadvantageous in that the previously labeled tissue slice supportscannot accompany the patient sample with tissue cartridge as oneintegrated unit in the subsequent steps. This means that, after slicingof a tissue sample, the matching previously labeled tissue slicesupports must be located and identified through manual comparison of thewritten information. A further disadvantage is the fact that the numberof tissue slice supports required for each tissue sample cannot beexactly predetermined at the time of labeling since, in addition to thespecifications of the doctor, this number also depends on the assessmentof the expert carrying out microtomisation. In practice, it is verydifficult to adhere to a system, which ensures cross-reference of thetissue slice support, and tissue sample of the patient by allocatingpreviously labeled tissue slice supports, since the samples must berelocated several times during the individual preparation steps. Forthis reason, the tissue slice support must disadvantageously be locatedin intermediate positions and comparative readings are required toprovide a new cross-reference.

Pre-fabricated tissue slice supports with corresponding identificationare difficult to allocate and would also have to be reproduced or beprovided in excessive numbers when the expert providing the thin slicesthereby realizes that more tissue sample slices are required thanexpected by the doctor. This problem increases when the tissue slicesupport identification must contain further information concerningdifferent processing and evaluation, in addition to the cross-referenceto the patient.

It is therefore the underlying purpose of the present invention toprovide a safe and efficient identification method for tissue slicesupports and provide devices therefor which simplify the describedcross-referencing problems in histological technology occurring duringmanual cross-referencing.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

This object is achieved with a method of the above-mentioned type inthat the identification information which belongs to the tissue sampleholder is automatically detected during arrangement thereof in themicrotome, and an identification to be associated therewith isautomatically transferred to at least one tissue slice support andsubsequently, with only this tissue slice support bearing theidentification being provided at the work place of the microtome to thetechnician working on the microtome for the manual mounting of a tissuesample slice at the time when the tissue sample slice must be disposedon a tissue slice support.

This object is achieved with respect to the device for carrying out thismethod in that the device comprises a detecting means for detecting theidentification information while the tissue sample holder with anon-microtomised tissue sample is disposed in the microtome, and with alabeling means for providing a tissue slice support with anidentification, a transfer means for information transfer between thedetecting means and the labeling means and a discharge means installedat the work place of the microtome for removal, by the technicianworking on the microtome, of the supports provided with anidentification, for manual mounting of the tissue sample slice.

The inventive method assumes the complete task of the expert producingthe microtomised samples, i.e. the thin slices, of associating thesesamples with the non-microtomised tissue sample. In this connection,non-microtomised tissue samples also include such tissue samples fromwhich the first thin slices have been cut off. The automated detectionmainly permits detection thereof when the tissue sample holder includingtissue sample is located in the microtome. This is not possible in areliable manner using the human eye, since the identification cannot beeasily read due to the restricted space. The invention avoids detectionoutside of the microtome, since one cannot guarantee that the detectedtissue sample is actually clamped. Labeling errors of the tissue slicesupports are eliminated through automatic detection of theidentification information during clamping of the tissue sample holderas well as through automatic identification and transfer from themicrotome to the identification means using any conventional techniques.In particular, transfer may be effected electrically via a cableconnection or through electromagnetic radiation emitted by a transmitterdisposed on the microtome and received by a receiver disposed on theidentification means. The electromagnetic radiation can be in the radio,infrared, or optical ranges.

The reliability is further ensured, when the expert has only one suchtissue slice support at a time whose identification as to origincoincides with the tissue sample slice, since at the moment during whichthe expert must place the tissue sample slice onto at tissue slicesupport, only the tissue slice support having the correct identificationis available. All human allocation is avoided. The avoidance of any suchallocation also eliminates the associated occurrence of errors. Evenwhen the expert interrupts microtomising of a sample to process anothersample in the meantime, no allocation problems can occur, since only onetissue slice support is available at a time: namely, the tissue slicesupport having an identification associated with the identificationinformation of the tissue sample holder located in the microtome.Identification information and identification can thereby be connectedphysically or electronically to the tissue sample holder and to thetissue slice support. In the latter case, a physically allocatedidentification code simplifies electronic allocation. The lattersolution is to be preferred for large amounts of data or when a physicalinformation link with extensive data is problematic due to the requiredprocessing.

The inventive device provides the means required to carry out theinventive method. These means provide that production and provision ofthe correctly labeled tissue slice support—and only this support—ispossible automatically and “just in time” at the location where requiredand in the desired amount.

Clearly, the method and device are not restricted to the above-mentionedtechnique for providing tissue samples slices, since the inventivesolution does not depend on the manner in which the tissue sample istreated and cut. The device may comprise a microtome with the knifebeing moved or with the knife being fixed and the sample being moved.One of these elements can be moved on a slide or a rotating disc and bemanually or automatically driven. Of course, a laser beam or anothermethod for producing tissue slices can also be used. The tissue slicesmay be human, animal, or plant tissue slices.

In the device of the above-mentioned type for preparing anidentification of the tissue slice support, this means, the informationcarrier, and a data carrier associated with the support are designed toproduce identification information which contains, in addition toidentification as to the origin of the tissue sample, a processinginformation key and information which provides an individual informationcontent for identification of several tissue slice supports with tissuesample slices which are derived from the same, not yet microtomisedtissue sample.

This device prepares labeling of the tissue slice support in that therequired information is stored as identification information such thatit is linked mechanically or electronically with the tissue slicesupport of the tissue slice such that, on this basis, theabove-mentioned method can be carried out with the above-mentioneddevice, wherein this device for preparing the identification includesapplications with which the identification information containscross-reference information providing individual information content forindividual tissue slice supports having thin slices derived from thesame tissue sample. In this manner, not only correct allocation of theidentification of tissue slice supports for tissue sample slices withthe corresponding not yet microtomised tissue samples is obtained but itis also ensured that a desired number of tissue slices is produced ontissue slice supports having the desired additional information.

Further developments of the method and of the mentioned devices and theinventive processing device are described below.

The inventive method is advantageously further developed such that everytime a tissue sample slice is produced, the identification informationis detected and a tissue slice support having an identification isproduced and dispensed. This ensures that a tissue slice support isprovided for each tissue sample slice. It is thereby possible to assurethat the tissue slice support is produced only when the expert workingon the microtome regards the microtomised tissue sample slice as usefuland initiates production of the identified tissue slice support.

In the simplest case, the identification of the at least one tissueslice support contains the same identification information which isassociated with the non-microtomised tissue sample. In most cases, onlyreference is thereby made to the origin of the non-microtomised tissuesample or to the corresponding patient. The identification informationmay contain further information in addition to the identification as toorigin. Such information may include pre-treatment of the tissue sample,date or place of removal or organ of removal. Further information isfeasible, as will be exemplified below.

If different treatment or different evaluation of the microtomisedtissue samples is required or their sequence is to be fixed, it isadvisable to provide the identification information on the tissue slicesupport with further information, in addition to identification as toorigin, using a processing information key to individualize individualmicrotomised tissue samples on respective tissue slice supports, whichare derived from the same non-microtomised tissue sample. This permitsfurther treatment and evaluation on the basis of the processinginformation key and avoids the necessity of adding such information tothe tissue slice supports in some other manner (manually). This alsoreduces associated problems in histological processing. The processinginformation key and the further information are advantageously containedin the identification information and thereby physically orelectronically connected to the tissue sample holder.

The device for carrying out the above-mentioned method may be designedin different ways. The detecting means may be designed such that itdetects the identification information after positioning of the tissuesample holder in the microtome and initiates identification of at leastone tissue slice support. The detecting means may also be designed suchthat the identification information is detected when a tissue sampleslice is produced and a command is issued to the identification means toinitiate labeling of a tissue slice support. Continuous detection of theidentification information and labeling of tissue slice supports is alsopossible if required e.g. by pressing a button.

Identification information and identification may, of course, bedesigned in the most different of ways. It may be in writing, which canbe read by a person, or be mechanically evaluated such as e.g. a barcode, or also be a magnetic or electronic storage medium of any type.The identification information or identification can thereby be providedon a separate data carrier, which can be allocated, to a tissue sampleholder or tissue slice support by means of an identification code. Inthis case, it must of course be ensured that only the correct allocationis admissible. This solution is advantageous when additional data mustbe allocated, usually in the form of additional identificationinformation. It is often sufficient and straightforward to load theidentification information on an information carrier, which isphysically connected to the tissue sample holder.

To prevent a tissue slice support of a previously processed tissuesample from remaining in the discharge means thereby producing anallocation error, it is advisable to design the discharge means suchthat it interrupts presenting a tissue slice support provided with anidentification when a new tissue simple holder is placed in themicrotome. Towards this end, the discharge means may reject or withdrawthe remaining tissue slice supports to write new information thereon.

Should the device perform functions in addition to the pure copying ofidentification as to origin, it is advantageous to provide it with acontroller for labeling the tissue slice support. If such a controlleris provided it is moreover advisable to provide the device with acommand input for determining the type and/or number of identifications.This command input maybe a manual command input or a command inputthrough identification information. An external command input via a dataline connected to a computer or command input via a data carrier is alsofeasible.

The device, preferably the identification means, should comprise a depotfor non-identified tissue slice supports which should be large enough tobe able to produce labeled tissue slice supports of sufficient numberwithout requiring constant recharging.

The controller may be designed such that the number of tissue slicesupports to be provided with an identification can be predetermined.This corresponds to the fact that the physician generally decides howmany microtomised tissue samples are required on tissue slice supports.Moreover, the controller should be designed such that the number oftissue slice supports to be labeled can be manually increased. Thisaddresses the fact that the expert working on the microtome will oftenrealize that more tissue slice supports are required than arepredetermined, either because the quality of the tissue sample isdoubtful or the expert can already see from the thin slice that it ispeculiar and more thin slices are required for diagnosis.

As mentioned above in connection with command input, the controller mayobtain the information in the most differing of ways. In an advantageousembodiment, which minimizes errors, the controller is designed toreceive information about the number and/or type of identification fromidentification information containing this information.

In particular, if the device comprises a command input and/orcontroller, it is advisable to also provide it with a display means fordisplaying information and/or work steps which will inform themicrotomising expert about the number and type of thin slices to beproduced and about their associated information. This providesadditional control and supplementary inputs.

In a practical embodiment of the device, the detecting means, the tissuesample hole and the holding means are designed and disposed such thatthe detecting means can read the identification information from a readfield of the tissue sample holder. Towards this end, the tissue sampleholder and holding means may be designed and mutually adapted such thatthe clamping jaws of the holding means (designed as clamping means) arelocated outside of the read field of a clamped tissue sample holder.This may be achieved through corresponding arrangement and design of thedetecting means or through modification of the clamping jaws compared tothe previous clamping devices, wherein the aim is to provide enoughspace on the read field for a detecting means. The term “read field”means of course that not only optical information but also magneticallyor electronically stored information can be read.

The device for preparing identification of tissue slice supports throughpreparing identification information to be associated with thosesupports can be designed in the most differing of ways. The informationcarriers may thereby have widely varying designs and the means forgenerating identification information may also have correspondinglydifferent designs. The means for generating identification informationmay be designed such that the latter is loaded onto a separate datacarrier, wherein this data carrier or a certain data content of a datacarrier and the information carrier of the tissue slice support areprovided with an identification code for mutual cross-reference. Thisdesign is particularly advantageous when the sample tissues which arenot microtomised and/or microtomised must be associated with a largeamount of data and the tissue slice support is not large enough formounting a storage medium of sufficient space thereon or when theintended processing of a sample does not accept such a storage medium.In an alternative embodiment, the means and the information carrier aredesigned such that the entire identification information can be loadedonto the information carrier.

The tissue slice supports may obtain different information contents bymeans of the processing information key. It is possible to e.g. providethe tissue slice supports with different processing instructions for thetissue sample slices or the information content of the tissue slicesupport may contain individual evaluation information for the tissuesample slices.

Finally, the above-mentioned device can also be used together with themethod and the device for carrying out the method in a largely automatedfashion. Towards this end, the above-mentioned information content isadvantageously designed as device control instructions, which can bemechanically read and realized.

For realization, a device for processing tissue sample slices disposedon tissue slice supports is advantageous which comprises a means fordetecting identifications of tissue slice supports and a devicecontroller which is designed to realize device controller instructionscontaining the identifications of the tissue slice supports. Suchautomation which is based on the above-mentioned inventive measuresfacilitates cross-referencing, in the present case, for furtherprocessing.

Further designs and developments are of course feasible, in particular,many method features can be realized as device features and vice versa.

The invention is explained below with reference to embodiments of thedevice.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING

FIG. 1 shows an embodiment of a device for carrying out the method;

FIG. 2 a shows an embodiment of a tissue slice designed as cartridgeincluding read field;

FIG. 2 b shows a cartridge lid for the above-mentioned cartridge;

FIG. 2 c shows a cartridge with identification information of differentdesign;

FIG. 3 a shows a conventional holding means;

FIG. 3 b shows a holding means designed for arrangement of a detectingmeans; and

FIG. 4 shows an embodiment of a device for producing identificationinformation.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

FIG. 1 shows an embodiment of the inventive device for carrying out theinventive method. A microtome 6 includes holding means 8 into which atissue sample holder 4 is clamped on a displaceable slide, the holdercomprising a not yet microtomised tissue sample 5. The not yetmicrotomised tissue sample 5 is displaced in the direction of a doublearrow 21 to produce thin slices via the knife 20 of the microtome 6. Theslide guidance and adjustment to obtain the slice thickness aresubstantial functions of the microtome 6. These thin slices are thetissue sample slices, which are disposed on the delivery 22 and removedas described above to be supplied to a water bath 23. The warm waterbath 23 smoothes the microtomised tissue sample, i.e. the thin slices,which can then be disposed onto a tissue slice support 2.

The invention solves the problem that the identification 1 of the tissueslice supports 2 of the identification information 3 of the not yetmicrotomised tissue sample 5 is reliably and efficiently allocated.Towards this end, the microtome 6 has a detecting means 7, which detectsthe identification information 3 of the tissue sample holder 4 andtransfers it to an identification means 9 for tissue slice supports 2via a transfer means 10. In correspondence with the identificationinformation 3, this identification means 9 generates identification 1 ofa tissue slice support 2 which can then be removed at the delivery means11 to receive the tissue sample slice from the water bath 23. In thismanner, cross-reference of the identification 1 on the tissue slicesupport 2 with the identification information 3 of the tissue sampleholder 4 is always ensured. It is essential that production of theidentification 1 of the tissue slice support 2 be always connected tothe identification information 3 of the tissue sample holder 4 locatedin the holding means 8. When the tissue sample holder 4 is removed, noidentification 1, which could be associated therewith, can be produced.When a new tissue sample holder 4 is clamped or when the old tissuesample holder 4 is removed, any labeled tissue slice supports 2 must beremoved from the delivery means 11 and, of course, from the region ofthe work place of the microtome 6 to ensure that they do not remain andare possibly associated with a microtomised tissue sample 5 which doesnot correspond to its identification information 3. Towards this end,the labeling means 9 is preferably designed such that it withdrawsunused labeled tissue slice supports 2 before processing of a new, notyet microtomised tissue sample 5.

The microtome comprises a transfer means 10 which is designed e.g. toemit infrared radiation. An appropriate detector is disposed on thelabeling means 9 for detecting the identification information 3transmitted by the transfer means 10. Reference numeral 13′ indicatesthat the detected identification information 3 may also include acommand input 13′ which is also transmitted through the transfer means10. Such a command input facilitates individualized labels 1 of tissueslice supports 2 in a manner described above. Alternatively, a manualcommand input 13 or external command input 13″ is also feasible. Thelatter may be connected e.g. to a computer. The operator may be informedabout the number and type of identifications 1 etc. through a displaymeans 14.

The labeling means 9 is disposed in a housing which also contains acontrol 12 which e.g. processes commands or converts identificationinformation 3 into individualized identifications 1 of tissue slicesupports 2 (see description above). The identification means 9furthermore comprises a depot 16 into which non-labeled tissue slicesupports 2 can be introduced to provide sufficient supply.

FIG. 2 a shows an embodiment of a tissue sample holder 4 designed ascartridge 24 including identification information 3 which is disposed onan information carrier 15 designed as read field 15′. Of course, otherembodiments of an information carrier 15 are feasible such aselectromagnetic strips, an electronic storage or a bar code, as shown inFIG. 2 c. The non-microtomised tissue samples 5 are placed into thecartridges 24 and closed with a lid 25, shown in FIG. 2 b. The tissuesamples are then treated as described above. The non-microtomised tissuesample 5 is finally soaked with paraffin and connected to the cartridge24 as a paraffin block such that the latter serves as a tissue sampleholder 4 for the non-microtomised tissue sample 5.

FIG. 3 a shows a conventional holding means 8 which places theabove-described support 4, i.e. the cartridge 24, which is connected tothe not yet microtomised tissue sample 5, on the microtome 6 forproducing thin slices. The conventional holding means 8 has clampingjaws 17 which hold the cartridge 24 at the read field 15′ and on theopposite side. This complicates accommodation of a detecting means 7.This problem may be solved when the holding means 8 has a design asshown in FIG. 3 b, i.e. such that the clamping jaws 17 hold thecartridge 24 on its longitudinal sides. This is, of course, only oneexample. Many other possibilities are feasible for accommodating thedetecting means 7.

FIG. 4 shows an embodiment of a device 18 for preparing identification 1of tissue slice supports 2. Preparation is realized by providing tissuesample holders 4 with identification information 3 which can beconverted into corresponding identification 1 of tissue slice supports 2through control 12 of the labeling means 9 as described in detail above.The device 18 therefore comprises a means 19 for producingidentification information 3 and tissue sample holders 4 withinformation carriers 15, 15′. The means 19 for producing suchidentification information 3 has an input 27 which is designed e.g. askeyboard, and a display 28, e.g. a screen. All data can be entered toload the information carrier 15 of a tissue sample holder 4 withcorresponding identification information 3. Alternatively, this processcan of course be carried out by providing a data carrier receptacle 30into which a data carrier, e.g. a disc, is inserted which contains thecorresponding identification information 3. The means 19 will thenproduce the identification information 3 on the tissue sample holder 4in correspondence with this data. A data line to a computer would alsobe feasible to produce identification information 3. For a goodworkflow, a depot 26 for tissue sample holders 4 without identificationinformation 3 is provided.

This device 18 must, of course, have a special means for joining thetissue sample holder 4, the identification information 3 and the correcttissue sample 5. In accordance with the present invention, this is thelast required critical task, which must be performed when a tissuesample 5 is allocated for the first time following removal from thebody. The invention prevents confusion concerning sample identificationduring all further processing and evaluation of the tissue sample.

The figures show, of course, only some of all possible designs of theinventive device. The figures illustrate use with a conventionalmicrotome 6 which may also have a different design. The labeling means 9may be built on or have another design.

List of Reference Numerals

-   1 Identification of an tissue slice support for tissue sample slice-   2 Tissue slice support-   3 Identification information, allocated to a tissue sample holder    for not yet microtomised tissue samples-   4 Tissue sample holder-   5 Not yet microtomised tissue sample-   6 Microtome-   7 Detecting means-   8 Holding means-   9 Identification means-   10 Transfer means-   11 Delivery means-   12 Controller-   13, 13′, 13″ Command input-   13 Manual command input-   13′ Command input through identification information-   13″ External command input or command signals via a data carrier-   14 Display means-   15 Information carrier-   15′ Read field-   16 Depot for unidentified tissue slice supports-   17 Clamping jaws-   18 Device for preparing identification of tissue slice supports-   19 Means for producing identification information-   20 Knife of microtome-   21 Double arrow: displacement of the holding means to produce thin    slices-   22 Deposit of the thin slices-   23 Water bath-   24 Cartridge-   25 Cartridge lid-   26 Depot for tissue sample holders without identification    information-   27 Input (keyboard)-   28 Display (screen)-   29 Output for tissue sample holder with identification information-   30 Data carrier reception

We claim:
 1. A method for allocating identification information totissue slice supports presented to a technician working on a microtome,the method comprising the steps of: supporting a tissue sample holderhaving identification information in a microtome, the tissue sampleholder containing a tissue sample and the identification informationrelating to the tissue sample; cutting-off a thin tissue sample slicefrom the tissue sample held in the tissue sample holder using amicrotome slicing element so that the cut tissue sample slice may bemanually removed from the microtome and stretched in a liquid bath priorto being manually mounted onto a tissue slice support; detecting theidentification information of the tissue sample holder when the tissuesample holder is disposed in the microtome; automatically transferringat least a portion of the identification information to a tissue slicesupport labeling mechanism; disposing the at least a portion of theidentification information onto a tissue slice support using thelabeling mechanism; and dispensing a tissue slice support subsequent tolabeling thereof using a tissue slice support dispenser.
 2. The methodof claim 1, wherein a plurality of slices are generated from a tissuesample, the identification information being detected and the tissueslice support being provided with the identification information foreach tissue sample slice.
 3. The method of claim 1, wherein theidentification information transferred to the at least one tissue slicesupport is identical to the identification information on the tissuesample holder.
 4. The method of claim 1, wherein the identificationinformation contains identification of the origin of the tissue sampleand further information.
 5. The method of claim 4, wherein the furtherinformation comprises a processing information key for individualizing atissue sample slice of a particular tissue slice support.
 6. The methodof claim 4, wherein the further information contains processinginstructions for the tissue sample slice on the tissue slice support. 7.The method of claim 4, wherein the further information is evaluationinformation for the tissue sample slice on the tissue slice support.